Al-Assad, King Abdullah conclude talks in Damascus
Jordan-Syria, Politics, 4/23/1999

King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan left Damascus on Thursday following a two-day official visit. At the Damascus airport, the king was seen off by Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. He was also seen off by the Vice Presidents Abdul Halim Khaddam and Zuheir Masharqa, Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi and Syria's ministers of foreign affairs, information, the interior, irrigation, industry and presidential affairs as well as by Jordan's ambassador in Damascus.

King Abdullah sent the following cable to President al-Assad: "It is of great pride for me at the conclusion of our successful visit to your dear country to express our utmost thanks and appreciation as well as gratitude over the warm hospitality we received during our visit to Damascus, the city of civilization and glorious history. Our joys were great over what we felt of care from your side to strengthen fraternal relations link our two countries and strengthen them in various fields and the almost-identical views regarding various Arab and international issues debated during our meeting with you, as well as your response to settle all matters which used to be pending between the two sisterly countries in a constructive fraternal spirit and on the conviction of the need for our Arab nation to eliminate all forms of partition and disputes and in the work to unify Arab ranks and preserve their potentials.

"Based on our belief, Mr. President, that reaching great goals and realizing noble objectives will be attainable only through a united and serious march, based on sincerity and persistent efforts for the sake of a deep and united Arab march, therefore we are in Jordan, the same as in Syria, completely convinced that building firm cooperation relations does not only serve our mutual interests, rather the interests of a united Arab nation so as to be fully able to confront challenges and build the base for the solid ground of a joint, fruitful and constructive Arab work.

"I once again extend to you deep thanks and appreciation for the best reception we received from yourself, your government and people. I congratulate you and your people on the occasion of your celebration of the Evacuation Day. It pleases me on this occasion to extend to your excellency an invitation to visit your second country, Jordan, at the time you decide on. I appeal to Almighty God to help you in leading your great people towards more progress and prosperity. Peace on You. your brother, Abdullah Bin Hussein."

Earlier in the day, President Hafez al-Assad and King Abdullah concluded their talks in a closed-door meeting they held in al-Chaab palace, during which they completed discussions on topics they began to discuss on Wednesday, pertaining to Arab, regional and international conditions and developing bilateral relations between the two countries.

On Thursday afternoon, King Abdullah and members of his accompanying delegation conducted a tour of the old markets of Damascus and visited several archaeological sites. The King was accompanied by the Syrian premier and the ministers of the interior, information, irrigation, the ministers of state for foreign affairs and industry.

Upon arriving at the entrance of al-Buzoureyah market in old Damascus, the King was welcomed by the governor of Damascus and high-ranking officials. King Abdullah and his companions visited al-Azem museum and the great Ummayad's mosque, where he was awarded a token from the Syrian minister of al-Awqaf (Islamic Trust).

The King also visited al-Hamedeyah Souk and had ice-cream and soft drinks in a restaurant there.

King Abdullah arrived in Amman on Thursday afternoon following a two-day official visit to Damascus during which he held talks with President Hafez al-Assad dealing with Arab, regional and international issues in light of recent developments.

In statements to the Jordanian media team accompanying him on the plane in his visit to Damascus, King Abdullah said the coming days will witness more meetings between officials from the two countries in order to discuss the details of all matters debated during his visit to Damascus.

For his part, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh said in an arrival statement to SANA's correspondent in Amman that, "King Abdullah's visit to Syria is one of the most successful and it proved that relations between the two sisterly countries are solid and deeply-rooted."

In a similar statement, the Jordanian minister of information and culture said, "I have had talks with the Syrian information minister, Dr. Muhammad Salman, talks during which we agreed to continue contacts and cooperation in the area of the media in the service of the two peoples and countries in line with the fraternal meetings held during the visit."

The Jordanian minister added that directives were recommended to specialized ministers to continue their meetings and that Jordanian- Syrian bilateral committees are to be authorized to prepare reports in preparations for the meetings of the joint higher committee to be held by the beginning of the June in Damascus.

On the other hand, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa met on Thursday afternoon at the headquarters of the Syrian Foreign Ministry with his Jordanian counterpart, Abdulllah al-Khatib.

Talks dealt with current Arab conditions, bilateral relations between Syria and Jordan and means of developing them. Moreover, the Syrian minister of the interior, Muhammad Harba, discussed with his Jordanian counterpart Nayef al-Qadi bilateral relations between the two countries and means of developing them.

The two ministers discussed means of facilitating the entry of the Syrian and Jordanian citizens to the two countries. They asserted the need to improve performance in this regard for the common interests of the two peoples.

Previous Stories:
  On al-Assad - King Abdullah summit   (4/23/1999)
  King Abdullah confers with Dr. Bashar   (4/22/1999)
  Syrian - Jordanian summit   (4/22/1999)

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